Simple Green Smoothie

Why This Recipe Works

It's perfectly balanced, which means it tastes great by itself, but it can also take on other ingredients when you want to shake things up. For our green base, kale was the obvious choice because it is the king of green smoothies for its nutrient density and vegetal taste. When testing juices that we could add to the kale for some fruitiness, we discovered that both apple and orange juice worked with their mild sweetness and light acidity, but the orange had a more sharp and enticing flavor. Placing ice near the bottom of the blender helped add some aeration and coolness to the smoothie, while banana and avocado contributed a beautifully creamy, whipped texture to the drink (as well as added vitamins). You can omit the avocado; however, the smoothie will be less creamy.